New family medical practice for CSU

Regional education provider Charles Sturt University is set to add a new family medical practice to its Bathurst campus, thanks to $6 million in funding announced as part of the 2012-13 Federal Budget.

The new facility will be built as part of the university's health and wellness precinct, alongside the existing community dental and oral health clinic and the yet-to-be-built $7 million Allied Health Clinic.

However, vice-chancellor Andrew Vann is disappointed that the treasurer's announcement did not include funding for a local training hospital catering to patients with private health insurance, nor to establish new medical schools nationwide.

"We strongly believe the government should fund a new medical school at Charles Sturt University in the near future because it is the only institution in the region that can prove its ability to attract rural students and get graduates into rural practice," Professor Vann said today (May 9).

"It will no doubt be disappointing to rural communities that the opportunity was not grasped in this budget."

The university has also made a $63.6 million bid for funding to expand its nursing and allied health programs in western NSW, but is yet to receive a final decision.